Funny how something as dull as a booth at a city festival can cause such a stir of controversy.

At last weekend’s July 4th Freedom Festival in Jefferson, an attorney in town got upset at the group which was sitting at a booth on the sidewalk in front of her office.

Booth space for the festival had been assigned by the City of Jefferson for the event. This particular table space was reserved for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Like all other booths on the street, the SCV paid a small fee for the space.

But attorney Shelley Cox didn’t like the group being located in front of her office. Cox, who is black, apparently didn’t like the Confederate symbolism being so close to her place of business.

After she complained, the city asked the group to move to another location, which it did without further incident.

But will the public square in Jefferson ever cease to be a source of silliness over free speech issues?

For years, a group of religious zealots have gone to the square on many Saturday mornings to scream sermons at passing motorists. More recently, the group began waving placards showing gross photos of aborted fetuses in an effort to voice its anti-abortion views.
Some in the city wanted to shut the group down since motorists complained about the photos. But whatever you think about the group and its message, it does have a right to assemble in a public space and to spew a message.

In a similar way, the SCV group had a right to its booth space on the city street. Just because one person objected should not have caused the city to gyrate and ask the group to move.

We live in a culture of hyper-sensitivity where people seem to look for reasons to be offended. While some may not agree with the SCV or some of its political views, the group does have the right to express those views.

As far as we know, this group wasn’t harassing anyone or causing any problems. Ms. Cox just didn’t like what they represented and created enough friction to have them move.

But in this week of July 4th when our nation celebrates its freedom, one has to wonder how long freedom can exist in this nation when people like Ms. Cox have such a low tolerance for speech with which they disagree.

Shame on Shelley Cox and her desire to make something out of nothing. Let us expect that any present or future clints remember this attitude and the the voters in the future also remember those in the local government who in effect sided with her to achieve her goal.

I am contacting you to commend you on the recent editorial "Booth site flap much ado about nothing.' Your editorial was both reasoned and responsible. This is in marked contrast to the Athens Banner Herald, which compared the Sons of Confederate Veterans booth to the noose hung up in Oglethorpe County. The SCV does not intend to offend any-one. The purpose of the group is to honor the memory of the Confederate Veteran. All Confederate Veterans, including the thousands of black men who volunteered for service in the Confederate military.

I must say I was surprised that lawyer Cox would attack the right of freedom of speach. I was even more surprised to See the Athens Banner Herald acting as her propagandist. Kudos to the Jackson Herald for standing up for freedom of speech.

For anyone who thinks my complaint about the Sons of Confederate Veterans booth being located outside my office is "much ado about nothing," I challenge you first to learn all the facts of the situation, and second to walk a mile in my shoes.

Those who feel Confederate imagery is a symbol of pride have every right to display it. However, as a Black resident of this county and a Jefferson business owner who views Confederate imagery as a symbol of hatred, I had the right to request that the booth be moved.

This is less a free speech issue than it is an issue of respect. The Sons of Confederate Veterans paid their fee and, thus, had the right to a booth at the Freedom Festival. But they did not necessarily have the right to a booth at the doorstep of a Black attorney. I do not believe that anyone intended offense by initially locating the booth outside my office. That space was assigned randomly and not at anyone's request. I do believe that there was a complete lack of consideration for my feelings and those of other Black community members upon learning that offense had been taken.

I cannot stop the frequent reminders in our society that I am judged by the color of my skin. I can, however, take a stand against reminders that are thrown in my face. This incident was such a stand, albeit a small one compared with the struggles of other Black members of this community. In this regard I am happy that what could have been resolved amicably has turned into an ongoing debate. Unless more of these incidents - including everything from smug comments to law enforcement profiling to murder - are brought to light, I and others like me will continue to be perceived as overly-sensitive whiners. The dangers of being Black in Jackson County are real. Wake up.

This occurrence would never have become media fodder had the booth merely been moved. Had it been considered preferable to remedy a slap in the face to me and those who recognize the historical significance of my business instead of blindly fearing that the Sons of Confederate Veterans would be angry over being asked to relocate, then I would not have had the need to draw attention to this matter. Either the Freedom Festival organizers want the event to be welcoming to the entire community or they don't. I wonder if it would be considered "much ado about nothing" had someone complained about a booth at which condoms are distributed located by a children's activity or a booth showing graphic images in the name of pro-life located outside of a food establishment?

I will never back down from my belief in both a free society and that we all owe one another some basic level of respect. Within certain constitutional limits we all have the right to say whatever we want. It's up to us to decide whether civility dictates discretion. What's most comical about this situation is that my conflict was not actually with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Never in a million years would I think I'd ever have reason to say this to those men: Thank you for your civility.

Ms. Coxs, I believe that you have not been in touch with the true hitory of the Confederate States of America. There were THOUSANDS of black CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS. All, notice that I said ALL, VOLUNTEERED. Ms. Cox, I believe that you have NOT KEPT YOUR OATH that you took to protect the rights of ALL citizens of the United States of America. Within those rights are the 1st Ammendment of the United States Counstitution. Should I have to educate you on that? It is FREE SPEECH, and I believe that YOU have not allowed us to exersise our rights. So if you want to get up and complain about something that is not true, fine, but you are only making yourself un-popular with many citizens in our town. I challenge you to come up with a REAL reason as to why we should not have been present at the Jefferson Freedom Fest.

Shelley have you ever heard of John Locke? In 1671 he was a major invester in the English slave-trade through the Royal Africa Co. As well as through his participation in drafting The Fundamental Constitution Of The Carolinas which established a feudal aristocracy and gave a master absolute power over his slaves. John Locke is also known to have been a major influence in drafting the due process clause in the fifth amendment of the United States Constitution. When you were studying law drafted inpart by people who were very active in the slave business did you tell your law professors to challenge the facts or they should walk a mile in your shoes? NO you went right on studying the writings of some the most racist men in the world.There have been twenty seven amendments to the Constitution. I think it has made this country a better place to live. Maybe you should get your books out and read them again. The first amendment reads the right of the people peaceably to assemble. I would think someone in law would be passionate about the Constitution. Remember the oath you took? I will support The Constitution of The United States and of this state.I dont understand why you would get so bent out of shape over a flag. You know Shelley the world is full of hate but do we let ourselves be overcome by it. I think thats where Ethics come in to play. If you call the number below and tell them how you feel maybe they can help you. State Bar of Georgia's Office of General Counsel 800-334-6865 its a free call.

Sons of the Confederacy is a group of non-violent, non-racist individuals trying to maintain their heritage of their portion of American history. Nothing wrong with that. And they have the right to a booth at the Jefferson festival. The KKK also has a right to a booth and are much more controversial and have a history of violence.

But this is a matter of sensitivity and decency. The Confederacy was fighting for States' Rights. Unfortunately, one of those rights was slavery. Time has handed down its verdict: Slavery is evil. I don't think anyone in their right mind would disagree with that.

The history of the Confederacy can never divorce itself from its constitution protecting domestic slavery. Therefore, wouldn't it be better to celebrate this "heritage" privately, so not to offend the descendents of the atrocity of slavery?

To the Sons of the Confederacy: From a fellow citizen, please don't put on public displays as there is no tasteful way to accomplish this. It is hurtful to many of our citizens and friends. Jim Crow laws were finally changed only 43 years ago and feelings are still raw. Thank you for your consideration.

As for the gentleman that suggested that blacks that fought for the confederacy were volunteers, he really doesn't understand the relationship between a slave and a master. Nothing can be volunteered or refused. A slave is a slave, subject to the whims of a master, i.e. rape, beatings, murders and other atrocities. You must be free to volunteer. The blacks in the North were free and did volunteer.

Yes, we have the right of freedom of speech and the freedom of expression and we also have the right to be stupid and insensitive and hurtful.

Ms. McCarthy,
I am the Third Lt. Commander of the Jackson County SCV Camp. Let me first say that some things you pointed out were right, why others were wrong. We have every right to "put on public displays", as long as there is not any injuries, or any other type of "scuffle". Many people (actually most of the people) in Jackson County support our Southern Heritage, and shame on you for asking me to not "walk in the shoes" of my Great Great Grandfather. I would believe a apology from you and Ms. Cox is in order, not just for the SCV, but also the citizens of Jefferson. Thank You,

Yes, I would ASK (It's not illegal what you do) you NOT to walk in the shoes of your great great grandfather. (rebellion against the United States) At the risk of insulting you, I must beg your indulgence. Your great great grandfather, although I'm sure he thought he was fighting for a glorious cause, as yet undetermined, was misled. And the fact is, he fought for the Confederacy, a racist, slave-holding, treasonous rebellion against the United States of America. Not satisfied with that, after the millions of lives were slaughtered in their failed attempt to separate from the United States, and killing President Lincoln, the South instituted the Jim Crow laws that kept their countrymen (Yes, blacks are our countrymen.)down (discrimination in business, workplace, government, voting) for over 100 years into my lifetime. And, need I mention the Klan? I am ashamed of my countrymen's behavior and you should be too. Should we also celebrate the lynchings because our ancestors did this?

Abraham Lincoln said, "those who would deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

I love American history and read about it, study it (at the university level) and visit museums. This is where your heritage belongs sir, in museums and books, not the public square, so that we can remember how terrible those days were so that we never listen to the ilk of your great great grandfather again. I would love to look at your old artifacts and share my Civil War photos, etc with you, but not in public where this activity could be hurtful.

General Lee was a great general and so was General Longstreet, General Stonewall Jackson, etc. But their cause was, in the end, judged by history, flawed. General Grant was a flawed man, overtly oppressing Jews and having a corrupt presidency but, in the end, it is his cause that can be celebrated, even today.

Perhaps it is you that owe we Americans (and modern Southerners) an apology for celebrating the rebellion after it was so soundly put down 143 years ago. We don't believe in this nonsense any longer! Yes, you have that right. But it hurts some of our citizens and it divides us. We have a Memorial Day for all American soldiers killed in action. No one denies that your great great grandfather was a good soldier. I'm sure he was. He was an American soldier. There are none better on earth. I salute him, but not on the public square.

Your great great grandfather is dead and could care less. He never had the tools to understand the difference between good and evil. (Considering the times he lived in, at least he had an excuse.) Sometimes being a good soldier is not enough. I know there are Germans who worship their Nazi ancestors but to most of us, this behavior is repulsive. (and illegal in Germany) I don't compare your grandfather to Nazis but his cause was no better)

There are other Americans other than Confederates and Southerners who have committed atrocities too. (some northerners owned slaves and let's not forget the carpetbaggers) And blacks can be racist too (Rev. Wright, Louis Farakhan) but we aren't celebrating that are we?

So go on and celebrate. But don't expect us to applaud. Your movement is no longer mainstream. The more you are in the public, the more controversy you will cause. And I don't foresee a bright public future for your organization. After several hundred years of oppression, I don't see Black Americans joining in your celebration ever.

I haven't been able to determine exactly what you think I should apologize for. I gave my opinion and meant not to insult you or your ancestors. It is we who have to stick together as Americans against a world that hates freedom and hates both you and me.

Dont you dare insult my ancestor. General Lee himself if once stated that slavery would die out. The CSA was not racist nor was my ancestor, and how dare you even think of taking my family and their heritage and dragging it through the dirt. Maybe if ever did any other research on the matter, you would find that former slaves VOLUNTEERED AT THEIR OWN WILL to serve proudly for their home. And yes some plantation owners did use un-necciasary force. But President Davis had strict rules that non of his slaves where to be touched. And he also let them have their own court if they broke rules. Next time you even consider talking about my ancestor do it to my face and stop hiding behind the ineternet. And remember to research the true history of The War Between The States.

And for the people that think the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism, it is not. It is a flag for independance.

Let me stress again that the SCV is a non-political, non profit organization, sworn to protect the true hitory of the 1861-1865 time period.

"Any people, anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable and most sacred right - a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world. Nor is this right confined to cases in which the whole people of an existing government may choose to exercise it. Any portion of such people, that can may revolutionize and make their own of so many of the territory as they inhabit.
Abraham Lincoln
January 12, 1848.

I think everyone in this small town is missing the point and it is apparent that racism is very much alive. I am ashamed to be considered a part of this community and the ignorance . Freedom of speech goes for everyone not just the white people in America. Ms. Cox has just as much right to her freedom of speech as does the SCV. However, I'm sure that if the NAACP placed a booth in front of your office space Mr. Dorsey that you would want it moved. I do not see anywhere that Ms. Cox believed that the SCV did not have a right to be at the festival, she merely did not want the booth in front of her office. I'm sure that if your ancestors Mr. Dorsey were treated like farm animals for 200 years that you would feel the same way as Ms. Cox. You state that the SCV are not a racist or violent group, but everything out of your mouth and the rest of the Jefferson white people that replied to this article are speaking nothing but hatred and racism. Just so you know, I am a white women born and raised in Georgia the only difference is that I was not raised color blind with hatred. My great grandparents where themselves slave owners, my grandfather was a member of the original KKK (which was not started out of hatred towards colored people), but I choose to live in this society in the present and future. I'm not ashamed of my ancestory, it is a part if history and that is where it needs to stay. I think everyone of you people need a lesson on the constitution and why it was written and who wrote it and what each amendment means. I also think that you all need a history lesson on slavery and what the civil war was about. It was not about slavery, but about the federal government taking states rights away. One of those rights happened to be the states right to choose whether they would be a slave state or not. The North was becoming powerful in the industrial revolution which was hurting the southern farmers. These northern states were also free states that allowed blacks to come and work. The farmers were losing their FREE labor to the factories and then the federal government decided that for every free state there should be a slave state. Now you tell me, when you decide on a job do you go work for the person that treats you like dirt and on top of that doesn't pay you or would you go where you can earn wages and own land??? For those of you who want to protest about not spending another dime in Jefferson as long as Ms. Cox works there - then that is your right. However, you do spend all of your money at Wal-Mart I'm sure. Well, here is a thought Wal-mart along with many other large corporations send all of their factories to China because once again we want cheap labor at the price of our children and pets lives!!!!! If we had all of our factories still in America we wouldn't be paying high gas prices and our economy would not be in the state it is in. So, quite dwelling on the past and lets try and fix the future of America.

Why would I care about a NAACP booth outside my office space? There sole purpose is to protect the right of African- Americans and I personally agree with them. My ancestors did on a plantation in North Georgia, and yes they had hired hands. But these hired hands were not slaves. My family did not buy them nor did they sell them. It was a family of 5 blacks. They just ran away from another plantation and they did not know where to go nor did they have any food. My Great Great Great Grandfather took them in and allowed them to work for food and a place to live. As the story goes, that the owners of this family came by one day. My Great Great Great Grandfather threatend the previous owners if they touched them that he would "get rid of them". Now my great great great Grandfather was a well respected man in the area. So he always had the support of the town behind him.

I am not a racist. I have some good black friends, some that are better than my white friends.

All because the KKK uses the Confederate flag, it does not mean that the Confederate States of America or the SCV is racist.

I would like to thank everyone for listen to my oppinions, and let me stress that I do not want to cause a fight. I just want simpliy for people to see the true facts of went own in the 1861 to 1865 time period. Once again, thank you.

If you wish to contact me any further, email me at jacksoncountyvolunteers@yahoo.com.

another lame lawyer.....and another racist human being!!
my first comments were made before i knew she way black...and now I sstill feel the same....except now i believe she is even more pathetic and the city of Jefferson should lower their heads in shame.
I will not spend one dollar in the city of jefferson because of this....and that lawyer should be given the boot too.
Hey Jefferson...get it right or you won't get none of mine!!

There is no small irony in the fact that the American value of Free Speech is being touted by those celebrating the enemies of the United States of America. Which flag do you wish to honor? The American Flag or the flag of the sworn enemy to America.

The Confederate flag is more significantly a symbol of hate and racism in the years since the Civil War as evidenced by the actions of those who fly it. It is a symbol of blatant disrespect to those enslaved under it. The racists who live among us know that too, but hide behind some seemingly noble concept of "heritage" while ignoring the hurt it causes even today.

I ask this: Are you an American, or are you on the side that fought against the America we hold dear?

Mike Buffington writes: "In a similar way, the SCV group had a right to its booth space on the city street. Just because one person objected should not have caused the city to gyrate and ask the group to move.

We live in a culture of hyper-sensitivity where people seem to look for reasons to be offended. . . . But in this week of July 4th when our nation celebrates its freedom, one has to wonder how long freedom can exist in this nation when people like Ms. Cox have such a low tolerance for speech with which they disagree."

***

I ask this: suppose it was a German "heritage group" celebrating their recent Nazi history from the 30s and 40s, displaying swastikas and touting their noble ancestors and the fatherland. Mike do you really believe that no one would squawk at that, that no one would ask that group to move? Mike would you have the tolerance to let that stand? Would you want them in fornt of your newspaper office, flying a Nazi flag? It's not that different in this case. The South was wrong on slavery and should not be celebrating that horrid past.

Hmmm, don't you think comparing the SCV organization to a Nazi group is a little over the top? If business owners have the right to run off groups at festivals that they disagree with, then where do we draw the line? How would you feel if the NAACP had a booth in town and a white business owner asked that it move because he disagreed with the group's political views? Would that be OK?

I didn't say "Nazi group", I said "German heritage group" It's not really over the top, even if you can't see that. And I wasn't talking about the SCV as an organization -- I was talking about flying the Confederate battle flag in front of an honorable lawyer's office when that lawyer happens to be black. It sounds like you are not sensitive to what that might mean. This is my perspective: For my ENTIRE life the Confederate battle flag has been associated with the KKK, lynchings, segregation, and hate towards our black brothers and sisters. To fly that flag as part of the SCV does not divorce it from its other sordid connotations during the years of 20th Century. The Confederate flag to a black person or any person troubled by ongoing racism in our society, is no different than flying a swastika laden flag before Jewish people or other people offended by the holocaust. Slavery was wrong -- period. The Confederates were on the wrong side of any moral argument that uses slavery as one of the pillars of its foundation. The racial killings committed under a Confederate banner cannot be ignored just because you find it inconvenient. To deny an association is to be willfully blind.

As for the hypothetical NCAAP booth and the hypothetical white business owner scenario that you describe -- I would hope that your newspaper would cover that story honestly. And I would try to understand it in its full context.

a)Her statement of "learn the facts",the booth location was not on her property (city property).

b)"Walk a mile in my shoes" there has been before you others who endured many miles so that you may have your shoes, ie;the chance for you to work hard to pursue your law degree.

c)Why did you not address this matter in your response to the festival organizers, they put this booth at it's location.

d)To the reference,"the reminders that are thrown in my face",take a broad look at the world we live in, all races regretably put oppression on others, we should oppose this, not promote it, ie; Iraq, Darfur Province Sudan, Eastern Europe, China, Haiti.

e)To the "dangers of being Black in Jackson County", go to one of the aforementioned regions and compare danger,I assure you your danger will be pale in comparsion.

In closing you have the right to show opposition to the location of this booth, you also have the right to show a total disregard of tolerance of what some Americans may hold sacred. However, it is a shame you chose to do this on what all Americans hold sacred,both here and abroad, our(yours and mine)Celebration Of Independence.

in this day and age we as americans (black,white,asian,hispanic and many others) we should be worried more about (terrorist,our economy,social programs and keeping our kids off drugs and out of gangs) but it seems that we tend to focus on things that we have no way to change like slavery nobody alive has owned a slave or i dare to say would like to so that being said we as americans need to move on and try and protect whats in jeopardy now and that is our freedon ,life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when we can stand together strong we can accomplish much !

i beleave that you all should just drop it. learn your facts about the flag before you start saying it is a racist thing. it defined the north from the south and with that said, i fly the flag in my house and on my property. i also fly it on my truck when i get the chance to. the flag belongs to georgia and it is a reflection of our heritage. be proud of it and leave it alone.

The Confederate battle flag was not added to the state flag of Georgia until the 1950's in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling separate schools were not adequate and integration was ordered. The flag was changed in protest to the Supreme Court ruling by the Georgia legislature. Although the flag may have been non-racist (but pro-slavery) in the civil war, the State of Georgia used it as a racist symbol from the 1950's until this decade.

Shame on the State of Georgia for using the Confederate battle flag as a racist symbol in the 1950's.

The state flag belongs to all citizens, black and white, and not just the redneck remnant of the confederacy who have spilled the blood of our brothers and sisters on our sacred soil for nothing more than the reason of hate.

And flying the confederate flag on your truck is your right but you will look pretty silly in the 21st century flying a racist flag. Time to grow up Johnny Reb. The war is over and has been for 143 years.

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